The Middle School Ensembles (MSE) program is part of the music education department at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music. Music education faculty oversee the program, while graduate students are selected to direct the day-to-day operations and mentor participating undergraduate students.
Undergraduate and pre-licensure students are the primary instructors who work directly with CU Boulder MSE participants. Through the MSE program, these students have the opportunity to apply the skills they’re learning in methods and techniques as part of the college’s curriculum for future music educators; middle school students benefit from working with energetic, outstanding collegiate musicians.
MSE staff
Leadership
Garrett Graves, Program Graduate Director
Graves is a PhD student in music education at CU Boulder. He earned a bachelor’s in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and a master’s in music education from the University of Colorado Boulder. He taught 6-12 band and general music in rural Mississippi prior to coming to Colorado.
Christina Munguia, Trying on Teaching (TOT) Director
Munguia is a second-year master’s student in music education at CU Boulder. She earned her bachelor’s in music education at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Munguia taught K-6 Elementary Music in Neodesha, Kansas, and taught private lessons.
David Rickels, Faculty Supervisor
CU Boulder Middle School String Ensemble
Justin Slaman, Graduate Assistant
Slaman is in the first year of his master’s degree in music education. As a CU Boulder alumnus, this will be the fourth season Slaman has participated in the MSE program, but the first time as a graduate student. Prior to graduate school, Slaman taught two years of band and orchestra at Franklin Middle School in Greeley, Colorado.
Logan Indge, Strings Area Director
CU Boulder Middle School Bands
Grant Hollis, Graduate Assistant
Hollis is pursuing a master’s in music education. He earned bachelor’s degrees in music education and saxophone performance from the University of Arkansas. Beyond CU Boulder, Hollis is currently teaching beginning band at Foothill Elementary School and working with the Parlando School of Musical Arts’ outreach program.
Abby Thompson, Graduate Assistant
Thompson is a second-year master’s student studying music education at CU Boulder. Previously, Thompson taught middle school, high school and jazz band in Dodge City, Kansas. Thompson earned a bachelor’s in music education from Kansas State University.
Elise Ehlert, Band Area Director